joewein.de LLC fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter! Free trial for 30 days

"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993691805 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22993744158 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • mrfreshwilliams@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Fresh Williams" <mrfrewilliams015@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrfreshwilliams@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:02:46 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

FROM: Mr.Fresh  G. Williams.
Audit and Accounting Office
Bank of Africa-Benin: Avenue
Jean-Paul II, 08 BP 0879-Cotonou
For Confidential E-mail Contact /  mrfreshwilliams@yahoo.fr
Fax Number; 00229-9374-4158
Office phone; +229- 9369-1805
Cell phone;   +229 -97 016-004

Calvary Greetings,

I am Mr.Fresh  G. Williams,  Audit Manager Bank of Africa Benin. In the capital city of Cotonou Benin republic, and assistance, this is a very confidential proposition for you. On April 21st 1999, A Swedish Oil consultant/contractor with the Benenoise Solid Minerals Corporation, Mr.Soren  Anderson made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Dollars only) in my branch.Upon maturity on November 20th 2003 as his Credit Officer, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally I discovered from his contract employers, the Benenoise Solid Minerals Corporation that Mr.Soren Anderson died on auto accident with his entire family.

Further investigations and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless. Again, I made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Soren Anderson did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.This sum of US$8,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to the International Banking ethics, codes and Laws, at the expiration of 7(Two) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Benin Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr.Soren. This is simple, I will like you to respond immediately with your full names and address so that we will  prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and some of my colleagues who are  aware of this transaction and 25% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred  in the course of the transaction There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by my colleagues and with my  position as the Foreign Remittance Director guarantees the successful  execution of this transaction.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you nderstand the transaction. Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication. You should observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest  assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us  because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Get back to me on my private E-mail Address;  mrfreshwilliams@yahoo.fr

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Remain Bless.

Mr.Fresh  G. Williams.
Fax Number; 00229-9374-4158
Office phone; +229- 9369-1805
Cell phone;   +229 -97 016-004

---

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam